Stars – Contact Theatre

Performed by one woman and a live DJ, this Afrofuturistic Space Odyssey uses music, drama and projected animations to tell us the story of a woman in search of her lost orgasm. Sprinkled with dustings of African mythology and folklore, this queer, feminist rallying call took the audience on a journey which explored desire, touch and reclaiming your pleasure.

We meet Mrs (Debra Michaels), an elderly woman looking back with some frustration that her orgasm has never really emerged, and she does not know where to find it.  Naturally, she embarks on a space odyssey to remedy the situation.

She tells the story of her disappointing marriage to a disappointing man and the opportunities that have slipped by her or never materialized. She experiences rejection and judgement from the members of her church to the point where her faith is lost. We see her as a woman enjoying the first real freedom of her life now that her husband sits in an urn on the kitchen table. She talks to her fish, named Cat, and befriends her neighbour, a young Muslim girl, Maryam, or ‘Mary’ because it’s easier to be a Mary than a Maryam in this world. Mrs is horrified when Mary is ‘cut’ and the trauma of this experience unfolds. The male ownership of women’s bodies is a key theme. The ‘need’ for cosmetic surgery, the binding of women’s feet, the 20 million women who have experienced FGM. When Maxi is born with an unusually large clitoris the response of the medical profession is to remove it. Her mother challenges the doctors demanding to know is Maxi had been a ‘son’ with an unusually large penis would they have the same response? Fortunately for Maxi, her clitoris remains intact.

Debra Michael’s explores the story of Mrs, of Maryam, of launderette lesbian Shehana and of intersex Maxi with great skill and much joy. Michael’s is a very engaging actor with a great sense of expression, timing and pace. She excels in her use of accents and voice and carries this piece with great strength and humour. Supported by Bradley Charles who plays her DJ son, always present on the kitchen radio, this piece of work uses music and soundscape to great effect.

Designed by Miriam Nabarro, the set is like a flying saucer set at an obtuse angle and upon which Mrs’ kitchen is staged. The effect, coupled with the cyclorama onto which many projections and creative captions are presented is mesmerizing and fast moving.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable piece of theatre. It attracted a diverse and very appreciative audience. It has challenging content, imaginative and powerful staging and is both moving and humorous in how it celebrates Black queer empowerment and arousal.

Reviewer: Lou Kershaw

Reviewed: 9th May 2023

North West End UK Rating: